Week Nine Grades, Evaluations, Questions

Week nine is in the books and now we take a look at how the entire team fared against the Patriots. We knew it could get ugly and that was certainly the case, but it could’ve been much worse. After a few days of reflection it is time to be honest and recognize that the numerous injuries will limit the Redskins for the remainder of the season. So now it is time to make some sense of it all as BBQ hands out grades and evaluations. Feel free to offer your own grades, evaluations, and opinions. Also, we have some questions to close out week nine.

Let’s take a look at the grades.

Quarterbacks:
Earlier in the season we had a less than decisive Kirk Cousins placing passes in areas where receivers really had little to no chance of catching the ball. That was not the case on Sunday. Receivers were simply dropping the balls thrown their way, many of which were perfectly placed.
Grade: B

Running Backs:
Who to blame. The running backs? The line? The coaches? The scheme? It isn’t working.
Grade: F

Wide Receivers:
Abysmal. Times one thousand. And then some. The dropsies absolutely stunted the Redskins at every opportunistic juncture. There is no excuse for such a poor performance and it should be noted that DeSean Jackson has a wonderful life on social media.
Grade: F

Tight Ends:
Derek Carrier had a golden opportunity for a thirty yard gain at the very least and probably would’ve stretched it to fifty or sixty yards. Jordan Reed did have a TD catch during garbage time.
Grade: D-

Offensive Line:
It’s the same story – decent in pass protection and horrible in the rushing scheme. Center is a huge priority in the upcoming draft and Josh LeRibeus is a huge liability – at any position.
Grade: D

Defensive Line:
They were dominated via the ground and air. It was obvious that Terrance Knighton was missed as he often occupies two defenders on most plays.
Grade: F

Linebackers:
The failures along the defensive line rendered the linebackers virtually useless. Other than one interception, this unit was thoroughly dominated in the short passing game.
Grade: F

Cornerbacks:
The corners were never really tested as the Patriots were utilizing short routes and the running game almost exclusively. What little action the corners did see came on the occasional deeper routes and in the running game when longer plays needed their support.
Grade: C

Safeties:
Ugh. Just ugh. Jeron Johnson looks like he is a huge letdown in the running game defense and appeared to be lost for most of the game. Dashon Goldson led the team in tackles, but that is not a good statistic to brag about when others fail to do their jobs.
Grade: D+

Special Teams:
Dustin Hopkins and Tress Way continue to have a very positive 2015. Ryan Grant failed to secure a surprise onsides kick and it was an easy play to make when looking at it from all angles. The return game (kickoffs and punts) was all but absent.
Grade: C-

Coaching:
Two weeks. The coaches have two weeks to prepare and the entire staff was clueless and the team was not motivated – or so it seemed. It is true that they went up against the best team in football at their house, but you would hope that the team is focused and can be, at the very least, semi competitive. The score would indicate that it was somewhat close, but the truth is far from it when you know what really happened. Some players did play with grit and determination, but others seem to lack that desire and drive.
Grade: F

How would you grade each position and the coaching staff? After this showing against the Patriots, are you concerned about the Saints and their high powered offense this coming Sunday? A new twist to a question – do we really need a less than motivated DeSean Jackson? Are we destined for the basement once again in the NFCE? Will the new center have a good impact on the line? What are you expecting in the game with the Saints? On to week ten.